Chapter 5

For all Adley told his brother, truthfully, that there were worse fates than lifelong singlehood, he liked the idea of sharing his life with another man, provided that man shared his appreciation for quiet, time outside, and the fulfillment of a job well done. He was happy to spend more time with Keru to find out if he was such a man.

Keru was certainly handsome, with his curls, dimples, and pert pink lips. Physical beauty was far from the most important aspect of a potential partner, but it didn’t hurt either, and Adley was more than satisfied on that front.

Best of all, he seemed to share Adley’s interest in the outdoors and didn’t try to fill every minute with chatter. They walked in comfortable silence for a few dozen yards, until they reached the ice seal.

“It’s good,” said Keru.

Under the circumstances he could hardly be expected to make a negative judgment, but Adley flattered himself to think the other man was sincere. “Thank you. We had fun carving it.”